1100 motor identification

[gsryder]

Is there a way to tell what year the 1100 engines are exactly like a build date on the cases or something.
I found a guy near me that supposedly has several early 80s 1100 engines loose laying around not running that he is selling for cheap.

The only thing I know is that they went to the rectangular valve cover caps on the sides in 1980.

Other than that how can you decipher between 1981, 1982, 1983, etc.

Thanks for you help.

[Rudeman]

Is there a way to tell what year the 1100 engines are exactly like a build date on the cases or something.
I found a guy near me that supposedly has several early 80s 1100 engines loose laying around not running that he is selling for cheap.

The only thing I know is that they went to the rectangular valve cover caps on the sides in 1980.

Other than that how can you decipher between 1981, 1982, 1983, etc.

Thanks for you help.

There were 2 different 1100 engines in the Suzuki GS line in '80, '81, and '82. The rectangular cam end cap versions are the 16-valve TSCC engine and the round cam end cap version is the 8-valve engine. The 61-valve engine was a completly new design in 1980 while the 8-valve 1100 is basically a bored out GS1000G engine.

[gsryder]

Okay but is there a way to tell what year the motor is exactly 80, 81, 82, 83?

I think 1983 is what I am really looking for as far as the research I have done so far.

Is there any distinct difference between these years or model/serial number identification?

[rphillips]

Someone can tell from the #'s, but not me. The "83"'s were black. "82" & " 83" models had valve cover bolts against both edges of the cam chain tunnel, at the front. On the "80" & "81" models these bolts were appx. 1" either side of the tunnel. A look at bike bandit will show you the difference. Just my opinion

[81gs1100]

Okay but is there a way to tell what year the motor is exactly 80, 81, 82, 83?

I think 1983 is what I am really looking for as far as the research I have done so far.

Is there any distinct difference between these years or model/serial number identification?

On the engine case number an 81 GS1100 has typed "GS110X"
Thats all I can help with, or at least thats what my engine has.

X is the code for 81, so maybe 82 = D, 83 = E ??

[neil w]

pre 1982 has the larger breather cover and two less bolts in rocker cover to head. Chrome cam end caps (18mm piston pins)

1982 has the later type rocker cover and breather pod, again chrome cam end caps( 18mm piston pins)

1983/ 84 has the black painted motor with internal mods ie 20mm piston pins and different primary drive ratio from crank to clutch basket (more teeth), also the arrangement of the clutch cover bolts are different

1984 crossover to the later 1150 motors

[gsryder]

Okay thanks guys he is going to send me the serial numbers tonight.

I think I am going to buy it anyway.

It has a motor knock but it is a complete motor minus carbs.

For what I want to do with it it will need a rebuild anyway so it will be a cheap start. (I hope!!)

[posplayr]

pre 1982 has the larger breather cover and two less bolts in rocker cover to head. Chrome cam end caps (18mm piston pins)

1982 has the later type rocker cover and breather pod, again chrome cam end caps( 18mm piston pins)

1983/ 84 has the black painted motor with internal mods ie 20mm piston pins and different primary drive ratio from crank to clutch basket (more teeth), also the arrangement of the clutch cover bolts are different

1984 crossover to the later 1150 motors

I did not think there were any 16V 1100's after 83?

The 1150 is really a different animal to the 1100's as well.

[mriddle]

If it has 24 bolt in the valve cover that makes it an 82 (possible) or and 83. As above .. if the cases were factory black it is an 83 as far as I know.

[rapidray]

The 80/81 have 20 bolts holding the valve cover on & an hourglass shaped breather cover. The 82/83 use a 24 bolt valve cover & have a rectangular breather cover. The 82 is silver & the 83 was the first year for black in the 16 valvers. As for telling the 80 from an 81, I have NO idea! Ray.

[rphillips]

I don't know what you call "cheap", but if the knock is from a twisted crank or a bad bearing on the crank, I wouldn't call it a cheap start

[gsryder]

The guy is asking $250.00.
He said it was running when he parked it but you could here a knock.
Unless the cases got scrapped with whatever went wrong, the casses and head alone are worth $250.00 from what I have seen around me.
I have searched e-bay, craigslist, and some local auctions, papers and such and have not seen a 1100 motor go for less the $500.00 and most of them are around $800.00.

What do you guys think?

[Rudeman]

Roll the dice...

[rapidray]

For that price I would buy all I could find! Ray.

[earlfor]

The 80/81 have 20 bolts holding the valve cover on & an hourglass shaped breather cover. The 82/83 use a 24 bolt valve cover & have a rectangular breather cover. The 82 is silver & the 83 was the first year for black in the 16 valvers. As for telling the 80 from an 81, I have NO idea! Ray.

The only way I know to tell is by the crank ends. 80 had the small crank ends and far as I know, no other year did.

Earl